The Pace Setter

Hebrews 12:1-2
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

A couple of years ago I was just beginning to run. I started out by running a little and walking a lot. Then a friend of mine encouraged me to run in a ten-mile race. Needless to say, I laughed about it and thought he was nuts. But I prayed and begin to train for it. As I would train for this race he would often run with me. I can remember the first day we ran together because it was the first time I was to run five miles without stopping. After arriving at his house, I stretched a bit and found some music for my journey and he comes out the door and says, "Just follow me, I'll set a decent pace." And off we went.

Well you can imagine that my Army friend was breathing well and enjoying the run while I was gasping for air and about to die. But something happened to me. I just looked at his back, and the rhythm of his feet as he set the pace and I began to tune out the pain and began to breathe better. Before I knew it we were finished. On the day of the ten-mile race I brought this same attitude with me and finished in a decent time.

Our scripture this morning tells us to lay aside the things that will beset us or weights that will bring us down and run the race, here it is... "with patience". I wanted so bad to run the full ten miles in the spring while I was training and could never do it. I was not patient at all and would often get discouraged because of my impatience. Also look at the greatest blessing of this scripture. It says, "Looking unto Jesus" our pace setter. He is the author and finisher of our faith. He endured the cross. He despised the shame. Finally, He is now at the right hand of the throne of God.

As you are waking up to the new day that God has allowed you to have, listen to Him as He says to you, "Just follow me, I'll set the pace." This worlds pain and struggles will not go away during our race, but they can be tuned out by looking to the pace setter. Follow His steps.